Fast-food shop gutted in Goraya

A major fire broke out on Wednesday morning at a fast-food shop Vez Parlour located in Guru Bazaar, Goraya, causing losses worth several lakhs.

According to shop owner Mani, smoke suddenly started emanating from the shop shortly after 8 am. Local residents, noticing the situation, immediately informed Ward Councillor Prof Rishu, who alerted the Phillaur Fire Brigade and requested a fire tender.

Before the fire brigade arrived, people from the neighbourhood attempted to control the blaze on their own, but the flames intensified rapidly. Firefighters eventually managed to extinguish the fire, but by then the kitchen constructed above the shop had been completely destroyed.

All kitchen items were reduced to ashes, though one gas cylinder in the kitchen and another lying below the shop remained intact. Three additional cylinders were stored inside the premises at the time of the incident. The cause of fire could not be known yet.

Rishu expressed sympathy towards the shop owner and criticised the lack of timely fire-service access in the town. He said although a fire tender has been allotted for Goraya — its operational costs borne by the Nagar Council — the vehicle remains stationed at the Phillaur Fire Station, resulting in delayed response.

He added that had the fire tender reached on time, the damage could have been minimised. Rishu stated that he would raise the issue at the council meeting and strongly demand that the fire tender be stationed permanently in Goraya to ensure prompt emergency response.